Artist interviews list

Teddy bear artists interviews

Jackie Morris, creator of Blacklick Bears

"Oursement V˘tre" brings you an exclusive interview
of american artist Jackie Morris, creator of "Blacklick Bears".

Although we already knew her through the net and by email, we had the opportunity and the pleasure to meet Jackie
in person, in France, when she was attending the "Paris-Creation" show.

When did you begin making bears, and how did the story start ?

"I started making bears about 13 years ago. We had just moved from Phoenix,
Arizona, to Columbus, Ohio, because of my husband's job. I was a bit lost at
the time because I had to give up the school I was attending, and all of my
old friends. I have always been an avid seamstress and it seemed natural
at this time to go back to creating things with my hands. At first I made
all kinds of things to sell at craft shows, and I stumbled upon bears by
accident.

They were one of my sewing projects, but it was immediately
apparent that the bears were different. They talked back ! Soon I
discovered the whole collectible Teddy Bear world, and that there were many
others who made bears. It was great for me because not only could I do
something I love to do, I was able to make friends in the bear world that I
wouldn't have to give up if my husband's job made us move again!
"

Since there is no "Bear School", would you please tell us more about your background ?

"
I have been sewing since I was a very small child. My first sewing project
was a little "cookie cutter" type Teddy Bear when I was 4 years old. I cut
it out, embroidered the face myself, sewed it together by hand, and stuffed
it with old nylon stockings. I was very proud of this first bear and kept
it for many years. Unfortunately it got lost in one of my many moves.

I was the kind of child that thought she could make anything, and usually
did just that! Mostly it was sewing projects, but I also knit and
embroidered from the time I was a small child. Cake decorating was also
one of my early hobbies. By the time I was in high school I was making all
of my own cloths except for my school uniforms. I loved it and would
attempt anything, even jackets and winter coats. Later I took a pattern
drafting class and learned to make my own original designs. I use the
skills I learned in that class and my sewing experience when I design and
make my bears. Another important skill I have is my mathematical ability.

At one time I was studying to be a math teacher. Pattern making is
basically geometry...something I am very good at! I made my first few
bears from a pattern, but when I started making my own patterns, the bears
looked much better and more like "me". I have never taken a bear making
class officially. I got all the specific information on making bears from
the early pattern I used, from books, and from hints given to me by my
many artist friends. I have evolved my own style and techniques from
putting together information from these many sources, and by experimenting
and practicing for 13 years! I will never be finished learning. Recently
I did take a pattern making class from Robin Foley. She uses a different
method to design animals which involves sculpting and making the pattern
over the sculpted model. I will incorporate these skills that she taught
me with my own methods. They will be added to the evolution of my personal
style.
"

Is there a particular bear size which you prefer to work with ?

"
I work best with medium sized bears...about 12 inches to about 20 inches.
"

Does a new bear come as an "instantaneous" idea or is he the result of a slowly developing process ?

"
Sometimes I get an idea and just have to make it right away. Other times I
keep it in my mind for months, even years, and really work on it. My new
"floppy bears" were like that. I had seen a photo of a real bear lying on
a log, in a very relaxed pose, a couple of years ago. I just knew I had
to make that bear, but I put it off. What I needed was a way for him to
look relaxed. Up until the time I made these floppy bears, most of my
bears were stuffed very hard and were posed much like a statue. Last
spring I was making a special auction piece for the Clarion auction. I did
a scene from a book where one character was holding another that was
unconscious. To get that feeling, I used double cotter pin joints and
stuffed with pellets to make this bear "flop". This worked really well!
Then I started thinking about the bear on a log again, and made the
connection that the double cotter pin joints and pellet stuffing would work
well for him too. The result was "Burle" my first floppy bear, and one of
my most successful designs.
"

When you design a new bear, are you more "driven" by the shape or by the materials, textures ?

"I look at photos of real bears for my designs, and study the poses
carefully. The shape of the patterns are my first consideration, then I
try to find fabrics that will make them look natural. Often I will use
different fabrics with the same pattern for slightly different effects.
"

Although "Blizzard" bear is jointed , your last patterns are hardly
jointed and more and more realistic. Do you intend to focus in this direction ?

"
I really like "Blizzard" and my other floppy bears very much, but both
styles have their place. I will continue to do both. The unjointed bears
are more of a challenge to design, and I need the challenge. Both styles
emphasize body language which is what my bears are all about. I like bears
that seem alive and in motion. Both styles accomplish this, but in
different ways.
"

By watching at "Mania" and "Meloncholy" bears on your website, we may
see that you are involved in communicating on treatment of mental desease ?

"
O yes. I have struggled with bipolar disorder myself and also have a son
with this disorder. One of the most difficult parts of this illness and
other mental illnesses is the lack of accurate information about them and
the stigma that misinformation causes. Mental illnesses are for the most
part biological in nature and therefore very treatable. If I can be of
help, through my bears, in informing people about this, I will feel that I
have accomplished something very important in life !
"

Do you intend to make other animals than bears ?

"
I have already made a few other animals and I do intend to make more. right
now I have a buffalo that I made in Robin's class. I also made a
one-of-a-kind moose once, and several cows. Bears are special though,
because they have such a human look to them.
"

Did you enjoy participating at french exhibition and will we have the pleasure to see you again ?

"
Yes, I did very much enjoy the French exhibition, and I hope to see you
again next fall. It is a beginning collector's market, but a very
appreciative one. I also very much enjoyed visiting Paris and I would like
to get out into the French countryside to see more.
"